July 31, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) seeking to stop the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts from investigating the alleged mismanagement of over N98 billion in the nation’s insurance sector.
The NIA, a leading umbrella body for insurance firms in Nigeria, had approached the court to obtain an order restraining the legislative committee from proceeding with its probe, citing concerns over what it described as procedural overreach and possible reputational damage to its members.
However, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the request lacked sufficient merit to interfere with the constitutional oversight functions of the National Assembly. The court emphasized that the legislature has the legal authority to carry out investigations in the public interest, especially concerning public funds.
The House Committee had initiated the probe following revelations that various government ministries, departments, and agencies had awarded insurance contracts and paid premiums running into billions of naira without adequate accountability.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam, had previously stated that the investigation aims to uncover potential infractions, recover unremitted funds, and ensure transparency within the sector.
The court’s decision is seen as a significant victory for parliamentary oversight and a blow to efforts by industry stakeholders to shield themselves from scrutiny. Legal experts say the ruling reinforces the constitutional balance between judicial restraint and legislative investigation.
The probe is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the committee summoning more insurance firms, regulators, and public institutions involved in the transactions under review.
